Why Are Some Favorites Forbidden?

As you are deep into reading your favorite book, hooked on every word, you might assume that everyone can do this. But what if I told you that in some corners of our world, that same book could land you in trouble? Yep, even today, with everyone talking about freedom of speech, books still get banned. Why? Let’s dive in!

Let’s jet over to Kuwait first. In 2019, they banned a famous book called “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank. Anne Frank wrote about her life hiding from the Nazis in World War II. So why was it banned? Well, some in Kuwait felt the book said something not-so-nice aboue-sex relationship in a good light.

Looking to China, it gets even trickier. They’ve got a big list of banned books. Write something that’s not so friendly about the government? Banned. Talk about promoting democracy or dive into touchy events from their history? Banned.

But wait, it’s not just countries with strict rules. Even places with a lot of freedom have banned books. For instance, in 2020, Australia stopped the sale of a book called “Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters” by Abigail Shrier. The debate? Some say it paints a bad picture of transgender kids. Others shout, “Free speech!”

Don’t worry, the United States isn’t left out! Recently, there’s been a lot of buzz around trying to ban books that talk about race and society. One such book, “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You” by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds, stirred the pot because it digs deep into the topic of racism.

What’s the big deal, though? Book banning isn’t just about leaders making rules. It’s a tangled web of politics, culture clashes, and what society thinks is right or wrong. It’s a tricky balance between keeping values intact and letting everyone have their say.

But here’s the silver lining: Many heroes are fighting against book bans. Authors, readers, librarians, and many passionate people say, “Let us read!” Groups like PEN International, the American Library Association, and Index on Censorship are like superheroes, making sure we can all enjoy the thrill of a good book. Remember, the magic of reading should always be celebrated, not silenced!